1. Managing Food Safety Issues in Bulk Grains -Aflatoxin
Do we need an early warning program?

2. What is Important Here? Keep Cost Down
Satisfy Crop Insurance Requirements (But No Games)
Maintain Integrity of our Products
Maintain Economic Viability of all Concerned

3. What can be done in advance of harvest?
Scout to Determine if a threat is present
Hold meetings for farmers
Use the press to disseminate information.
Some of the above was done last year

4. Problems with Aflatoxin Advance Notice
You can be blamed for starting a panic
Farmers will not pay attention unless it is publicized as a problem
Does anyone care? Is our food supply important? Are consequences predictable?

5. Possible Methods of Advance Warning of A Problem
Coordinate with NASS to get samples to analyze.
Set up Sentinel Plots (like with soybean rust)
Develop a scouting system to check high risk areas (early August)

8. Look at Past Years When Aflatoxin was a Problem
Compare Weather Pattern
Relate to Plant Stress
Look at Insect Damage
Build a Model
Ground Truth with Scouting

9. Advantages of Advance Notice
Time for proper testing
Can make plans for dealing with the Aflatoxin tainted corn.
Segregation
Combine settings
Grain cleaning
Time to find alternative markets
List of Labs:

10. Getting the Word Out Meetings Press/Media Web Sites Mailings Insurers?
Extension?
Grain Receivers?

11. How should it be Funded?
Surveys suggest public agencies conduct early warning system. The costs should be covered by
Tax Dollars?
Grant Funding?
Other?

12. Questions / Comments / Solutions?
Thank You.